Body and fender tool



Dec. 6, 1955 R. KAUPPl 2,725,917

BODY AND FENDER TOOL Filed Aug. 23, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

Dec. 6, 1955 R. KAUPPI 2,725,917

BODY AND FENDER TOOL Filed Aug. 23, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 71 5mm KHz/7 1 f ZAJKM United States Patent Ofifice 2,725 ,9 l 7 Patented Dec. 6, 1955 BODY AND FENDER TOOL Reino Kauppi, Virginia, Minn, assignor of one-half to Pierre B. Grey, Duluth, Minn.

Application August 23, 1954, Serial No. 451,369 4 Claims. (Cl. 153-32) This invention relates to improvements in devices for straightening or returning to normal metallic surfaces which have become dented or distorted, and is especially directed to such a device for restoring the original shape of an automobile body which has become dented.

Fenders particularly of automobiles are subject to becoming dented through contact with other objects, and ordinarily these dents are pounded out to normal, the surface then sanded, and subsequently repainted. In the ordinary dent, however, the finish has not been marred, and consequently if the material could be restored to its original shape no sanding or refinishing would be necessary.

It is the principal object of my invention to provide a device which is capable of restoring such dented surfaces without in the ordinary case of having to sand and re finish the surface.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description wherein like references indicate like parts.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the device, illustrating an automobile in dotted lines as having a dent in a fender thereof being operated upon.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmental view of the principal parts of the device.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the frame illustrating the sinuous rod attaching means welded thereto.

Figure 4 is a view illustrating the means of holding the sections of the device together.

In carrying out my invention, I employ a knockdown frame of relatively wide channel form, semi-decagonally shaped in side elevation, as seen in Figure 1. This frame is of a size to span an automobile, and comprises two parallel vertical portions 1 and 2, the flanges of which are cut away at floor leevl and the web folded outwardly on top of a garage floor for example and bolted thereto by bolts indicated at 3. Extending from the tops of these vertical members 1 and 2 are two inwardly inclined members 4 and 5, the meeting ends of these members being detachably secured together by means of straps 6 and 7 bolted thereto, as clearly seen in Figure 4. Across the tops of sections 4 and is a horizontal section 8, the ends of which are likewise detachably secured to the tops of sections 4 and 5 by means of the straps 9 and 10 bolted thereto. This structure constitutes the frame of the device.

Longitudinally disposed on the back of each channel section is a sinuous rod or bar 11, the valley of each respective curve portion of the rod being welded securely to the channel section.

If need be, suitable guy wires may be employed to stabilize the frame While being used.

A relatively large turnbuckle is shown at 15, one end of which is selectively applicable through any of the loops of the sinuous rod, especially that loop substantially opposite the center of a dented area of an automobile, indicated in dotted lines at 16. The other end of the turnbuckle 15 has attached thereto corresponding ends of a plurality of smaller turnbuckles 18, the opposite ends of these smaller turnbuckles being hooked into the hooked ends 19 of a plurality of vacuum suction cups 20, which may be of the type wherein the air may be forcibly withdrawn after the cup has been applied to a surface, to augment its holding properties.

I have shown but three of the vacuum cups and smaller turnbuckles, but obviously any number may be used depending on the size of the dent to be operated upon.

in practice the cups would be applied to the irregular surface of the dented portion, and then the smaller turnbuckles would each be turned until each was reasonably taut, when the large turnbuckle is turned, which will then draw equally on each of the smaller turnbuckles and pull the dented area of the fender out to its original position.

In lieu of the sinuous rod, any means, such as spaced individual loops or eyes, could be attached to the frame for securing the end of turnbuckle 15, but the sinuous rod seems the more practical and to afford more selection.

Other variations in the structure may be made within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for removing surface irregularities in automobiles, comprising a frame of arch-like form adapted to surmount an automobile, and be secured in upright position on the surface which supports the automobile means secured to the inner surface of said frame providing spaced openings for selective attachment of hereinafter mentioned turnbuckle means, a plurality of suction cups applicable to a dented area of an automobile body, and turnbuckle means attached at one end to said suction cups and at the other end selectively in a spaced opening.

2. The structure of claim 1, said first mentioned means comprising a sinuous rod.

3. The structure of claim 1, said frame being of knocked-down form.

4. The structure of claim 1, said suction cups, having individual adjusting means attached to said turnbuckle means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,773,187 Johnson Aug. 19, 1930 1,785,923 Wade Dec. 23, 1930 1,795,041 Replogle Mar. 3, 1931 1,984,627 Blazek et al. Dec. 18, 1934 2,135,278 Countryman Nov. 1, 1938 2,522,167 Englehart Sept. 12, 1950 2,559,250 Jackson July 3, 1951 2,597,103 Johnson et a1 May 20, 1952 

